RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Cabinet on Wednesday has decided to notify Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla Sanctuary as “Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve".

Talking to media persons at his official residence in the state capital on Wednesday after the cabinet meeting, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao said that the Cabinet met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai at the Chief Minister’s House. It was decided to notify Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla Sanctuary as “Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve".

On the recommendations of the State Wildlife Board and at the concurrence of the National Tiger Conservation Authority under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, the Chhattisgarh cabinet has decided to notify Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla National Park as "Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve", integrating the regions of Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla Sanctuary located in Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Korea, Surajpur, and Balrampur districts, encompassing an area of 2829.387 square kilometers.

The Department of Forest and Climate Change, Government of India has been authorized to complete the formalities to notify Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla Sanctuary as “Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve".

There are two tiger reserves- namely Achanakmar Tiger Reserve and Indravati Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh. Now with the new notification, there will be three tiger reserves in the state.

The formation of the tiger reserve will foster eco-tourism in the state and create various employment opportunities for villagers residing in the core and buffer zones, as guides, tourist vehicle operators, and resort managers. Additionally, the National Project Tiger Authority will provide an extra budget for the reserve’s operations, which will facilitate new livelihood development projects in the surrounding villages, he added.

To a query on relocation of villagers from the areas, Deputy Chief Minister Sai clarified that villagers would not be shifted without their consent.